Tree leading journalist planted in estate, perhaps (5)
I believe the answer is:
cedar
'tree' is the definition.
(cedar is a kind of tree)
'leading journalist planted in estate perhaps' is the wordplay.
'leading journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'planted in' is an insertion indicator.
'estate perhaps' becomes 'car' (estate is a type of car).
'ed' inserted inside 'car' is 'CEDAR'.
(Other definitions for cedar that I've seen before include "representative of Lebanon?" , "Fragrant conifer" , "may have needles?" , "Leaving body" , "Great hardwood tree associated with Lebanon" .)